City leaders may say the Studio Charlotte, redevelopment concept for Eastland Mall site, is dead, but it’s alive and well to some Eastside residents. At least 100 people packed Steamer’s pub off Albemarle Road on Sunday to rally for the proposed development being spearheaded by Bert Hesse. The project would build a movie studios, sound stages, office, retail and a film school on the 80-acre site. Community outreach would also be an important factor with project leaders saying everyday citizens and businesses could also use the facility.
“My children’s children will benefit from this,” said Donna Reid, community development coordinator for StudioCharlotte. “We want this on the Eastside.”
Reid was one several speakers who spoke at Sunday’s rally on behalf of the project. Still, a day earlier city leaders to the Charlotte Observer that the Eastland Mall site may be divided into smaller properties and sold for redevelopment.
